Believed

"There have been a LOT of tears while reading this book. The content is complex and human and relatable. Even though the subject isn't exactly sunshine and rainbows, it brings a certain amount of joy and peace, because more than anything it makes me feel seen, and heard, and it reminds me that I'm not in this alone. Being able to use words and stories to give another human being that feeling is truly a gift, and it's executed beautifully with Believed." —Unnamed Survivor of sexual assault Kelsea Jones is like a lot of girls at the University of Northern Minnesota. She has a boyfriend, she works at a coffee shop, and she's on the swim team. But she's not a girl. She's a mermaid. Trouble brews when star hockey player Chad Andersen takes an interest in her. She tries to avoid him, but he won't leave her alone. A son of wealth and privilege, he takes what he wants, and he gets away with it. He wants Kelsea, she says no, and so he rapes her. Kelsea stands on a tail and two fins to fight the most painful trial of her life. Despite her trauma and a crisis of faith, she speaks the truth of what Chad did, but will she be believed? 1 out of 4 college girls experiences rape or sexual assault. That breaks my heart. It's a crime that has affected people I love, and it has to stop. This novel is my way of raising awareness and showing survivors that someone hears them. —Michael James Emberger